Tietjens – will he coach Samoa or Kenya?

Editor

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 11: Gordon Tietjens, coach of New Zealand looks on after the Men's Rugby Sevens placing 5-6 match between New Zealand and Argentina on Day 6 of the Rio 2016 Olympics at Deodoro Stadium on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Conflicting reports claim that Sevens legend Sir Gordon Tietjens will either be announced as the Samoa head coach or Kenya head coach this week.

Daily Nation in Kenya have reported that the Kenyan Rugby Union will unveil Tietjens as the country’s next head coach after the deal was finalised on Tuesday.

Innocent Simiyu, the former Kenya Sevens captain, is reportedly set to be appointed as Tietjens’ assistant coach.

“He is the best coach in the world and SportPesa, one of KRU’s sponsors, have indicated that they will be ready to pay for any coach,” a source told Daily Nation.

However, Radio New Zealand have reported that Tietjens is currently in Samoa checking out the facilities and negotiating a possible contract.

Tietjens, 60, stepped down from his role in charge of New Zealand Sevens after a glittering 22-year stint, winning four Commonwealth Games gold medals, 12 World Rugby Sevens Series titles and two Sevens World Cup titles.